Strange coincidence ?

Topic: Strange coincidence ? (Read 1430 times) previous topic - next topic

Strange coincidence ?

April 08, 2006, 03:43:12 AM

So, I'm at Taco Hell (same place where my transmission started acting up - maybe I shouldn't go there anymore), and I'm a bit chilly so I turn on the heater.

As I'm waiting in line to pay, I idly flip through the gauges, and lo and behold the Oil Pressure is one bar above half-way, where it usually stays. I'm in D, and the engine is running about 600 RPMs, so I'm wondering where that extra bar came from, put it in P, nothing happens, rev it up once or twice, still nothing.

Beginning to get intrigued/worried, I pay for the "food" and drive off, turning off the heater, and I see the oil pressure drop back to exactly half-way up, where it's always been. After I got home, I stayed in the car for maybe 5 more minutes, just looking at the oil pressure, revved it up a couple of times, no change, turned on the heat (80F,Hi,Panel) and voila, oil pressure goes up one bar.

Therefore, what the heck is going on :hick: ? I have no idea why these two events would be related, and in what way.

Strange coincidence ?

Reply #1 – April 08, 2006, 08:16:59 AM

You have to remember, the gauges are electronic, and when you start using other items that call upon the alternator, the voltage will fluctuate and your gauges can and will fluctuate also.

Strange coincidence ?

Reply #2 – April 08, 2006, 11:02:22 AM

Plus, the full electronic gauges are strictly iconic and not representational. In other words, one bar on the fuel gauge is not 1/8 of a tank. No bar on any electronic gauge is set to represent a specific unit of measurement. Minor fluctuations are common and in general, if your gauge is not beeping or exceedingly high/low, you're okay.

Strange coincidence ?

Reply #3 – April 08, 2006, 01:56:11 PM

Hehe, thanks guys, I was wondering about that. On the plus side - I am almost done collecting the parts for my T-5 swap, and hopefully I will be doing it within the next month - before my graduation.

Strange coincidence ?

Reply #4 – April 08, 2006, 07:07:35 PM

Heh, welcome to the quirks. It did that from time to time for me as well. It typically does it after oil changes, or if you're on an incline where the oil runs up the oil pickup. I wouldn't worry about it, it never gave me problems before.

Strange coincidence ?

Reply #5 – April 11, 2006, 05:23:26 PM

After my buddy and I swapped a HO into his Cougar the oil gauge reads 3 or 4 bars plus 1 or 2 all the way at the top. Its weird but its still running just fine.